IN West County Winter 2017 | Page 24

HEALTH & WELLNESS S PECIA L SEC T IO N suggest that poor oral health is related to systemic diseases including diabetes, oral cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Routine visits to your dentist can identify oral problems before they become painful and more serious. So how can you protect your pearly whites against long-term health concerns? • Schedule routine checkups with your dental professional. • Brush your teeth twice a day. • Floss daily (you may not see immediate benefits, but you’ll be saving your gum health in the long run). • Eat a balanced diet to get the proper nutrients your teeth and gums need to stay strong. • Drink lots of water! • Quit smoking; it is one of the most significant risk factors in developing gum disease. • Replace your toothbrush every three months. NO BONES ABOUT IT 1 IN 5 RESIDENTS IN ERIE COUNTY ARE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS IN A GIVEN YEAR NAMI CAN HELP. WE PROVIDE FREE EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH CLASSES AND SUPPORT GROUPS. TAKE THE FIRST STEP. CALL 456-1773 OR VISIT NAMIERIE.ORG Erie County 22 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | West County Is your job a pain in the neck? If you work in a sedentary environment, your response is probably yes. Musculoskeletal pain is caused by excessive sitting throughout the day, leading to slouching, hunching over, and muscles in your body going without use for hours. Studies are finding that although a regular workout routine helps, it won’t combat the constant weight on your rump. Although some offices are moving toward healthier options, such as convertible, stand up/sit down desks, or treadmill desks (if you have the skill to think and walk at the same time), most of us have to face our chairs every day. What a pain! There are ways to prevent the negative effects, such as stiffness and poor circulation, of constant sitting. • Get up and move! If you find yourself sitting for extended periods of time, you need to break the habit. Schedule an alarm for every 30 minutes to get up and take a lap around your office. Manage your time effectively by going to pick up your paper from the printer or grabbing a glass of water. Even better? Visit a co-worker to talk about a project instead of sending an email. • Establish proper sitting habits. Keep your back straight, feet at 90 degrees, and eyes level with the top of your computer screen. Make sure your shoulders aren’t hunched when resting your elbows on your desk to type.